The leading Data Center Provider, NetShop ISP, has announced today that will be hosting iGathering17 Private Event which will take place in Hilton, Malta. iGatherings are private, networking events attended by the iGaming industry’s C-level executives. NetShop ISP, as a leading Data Center Provider in Malta, will be among the 4 companies hosting this event […]

The leading Data Center Provider, NetShop ISP, has announced today that will be hosting iGathering17 Private Event which will take place in Hilton, Malta.

iGatherings are private, networking events attended by the iGaming industry’s C-level executives. NetShop ISP, as a leading Data Center Provider in Malta, will be among the 4 companies hosting this event in November 2017.

About NetShop ISP

Since 2004, NetShop ISP has been a privately owned and operated company specializing in DataCenter Hosting services. Being active in the iGaming industry for the past 7 years, NetShop ISP is, today, among the top choices for hosting by leading Platform Suppliers, Software Developers and iGaming Startups.

Read more at https://maltaigamingsummit.com/igatherings/

Betfred is set to expand the reach of its new TradeFred Forex and CFDs online trading platform into Cyprus, according to LeapRate.com. The result of a partnership between Betfred and Vanuatu-registered MagicPath Capital, the platform went live in June. At the time of its launch, TradeFred only held a licence issued by the Vanuatu Financial […]

Betfred is set to expand the reach of its new TradeFred Forex and CFDs online trading platform into Cyprus, according to LeapRate.com.

The result of a partnership between Betfred and Vanuatu-registered MagicPath Capital, the platform went live in June.

At the time of its launch, TradeFred only held a licence issued by the Vanuatu Financial Services Commission and had not been not cleared for operations in the UK or Europe.

However, LeapRate.com has reported that TradeFred will soon expand with a new Europe-regulated entity in Cyprus and has established a subsidiary in the country to support the move.

TradeFred is also expected to announce that it has obtained a CIF licence from the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission, which will allow it to take clients from European countries and the UK.

MagicPath is listed as the owner of the TradeFred brand, while Betfred serves as a technology provider.

Source: http://www.igamingbusiness.com/news/betfred-expands-forex-cfd-service-cyprus-report

Malta has become the basis of operations for many Dutch gambling companies before the Netherlands announces the new Dutch gambling laws, as per the local media. Specifically, the two Dutch media outlets Het Financieele Dagblad and Trouw claimed that Malta has a lot of technical and commercial expertise and years of experience in the online […]

Malta has become the basis of operations for many Dutch gambling companies before the Netherlands announces the new Dutch gambling laws, as per the local media.

Specifically, the two Dutch media outlets Het Financieele Dagblad and Trouw claimed that Malta has a lot of technical and commercial expertise and years of experience in the online gaming field, which makes many Dutch gambling firms move to the island. Trouw has also criticized the Dutch Gaming Authority, Kansspelautoriteit, that it has not enough power to impose a fine to those who dismiss the rules, even if some of them may belong in the EU.

The KSA responded to the publications via a statement published on its website pointing out that it’s urgently needs additional powers to further combat illegal online gambling.

The Director of the KSA, Marja Appelman, said, as translated:
“We have seen a steady growth of illegal online gambling in the Netherlands for more than ten years. Data from H2 Gambling Capital’s data provider shows that this trend is reversing by legalizing the market.
The illegal offer of almost one hundred percent now has to be significantly reduced in a few years. We have also seen this effect in other European countries. In 2022, the illegal supply in the Netherlands has been reduced to just 30 percent, according to these figures.’

Sweden’s gaming regulator, Lotteriinspektionen, has revealed that there has been a decline of Swedes who participate at gambling activities in the past year, according to its annual survey of the national gambling market. The annual survey is released on Wednesday by Lotteriinspektionen which showed that 66 percent of the 1,044 adults surveyed have participated in […]

Sweden’s gaming regulator, Lotteriinspektionen, has revealed that there has been a decline of Swedes who participate at gambling activities in the past year, according to its annual survey of the national gambling market.

The annual survey is released on Wednesday by Lotteriinspektionen which showed that 66 percent of the 1,044 adults surveyed have participated in one form of gambling over the past year which seem that the amount of gamblers has dropped 2 points since 2016.

34% of the people who haven’t engaged in any form of gambling the past 12 months, claimed that is because they never won anything while another 22% reported a lack of confidence. On the other hand, 3 percent of respondents admitted gambling a lot during the last 12 months, which is on the same number for the last years.

As per the survey, the state-owned Svenska Spel wins the first place as is the 1st choice of the Swedes with 52% of online gamblers choosing it. On the second place with 16% is the horse race betting operator ATG. Unibet takes the 3rd place with 3%. Last choices are Betsson and Bet365 with 2% and Maria Casino, PokerStars, Mr Green, LeoVegas and Cherry AB with 1%.

The Chief executive of Sky Betting & Gaming, Richard Flint, has urged the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, not to raise the gambling-related taxes of companies active in the country, warning that it could harm the company’s investment plan for the UK. As Mr Flint said, this year it was planned to create […]

The Chief executive of Sky Betting & Gaming, Richard Flint, has urged the UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, not to raise the gambling-related taxes of companies active in the country, warning that it could harm the company’s investment plan for the UK.

As Mr Flint said, this year it was planned to create an other 200 high-tech at its Yorkshire site Headquarters in addition to 1,300 people who already work at the Yorkshire site of the brand.

“We are prepared to have the penalty [of higher taxes] versus being based offshore but it could become unsustainable if taxes are increased too much,” Mr Flint said.

He mentioned that SkyBet has paid £153 million in taxes for the year to June 2017 which represents 30% of SkyBet revenues. He added that while the company is based in the UK, it has to pay VAT on marketing expenditure, something not levied on those based offshore in places such as Gibraltar.

An amendment to Russia’s federal law “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection” is preventing players from accessing international iGaming websites operating that are not licensed by the Russian government, with the implementation of a new VPN. Virtual private networks (VPN) services were called to set stricter conditions of access to international sites and online […]

An amendment to Russia’s federal law “On Information, Information Technologies and Information Protection” is preventing players from accessing international iGaming websites operating that are not licensed by the Russian government, with the implementation of a new VPN.

Virtual private networks (VPN) services were called to set stricter conditions of access to international sites and online gaming platforms by the Federal Service for Supervision in the Sphere of Telecom, Information Technologies and Mass Communications (Roskomnadzor).

Furthermore, while about 1,500 gambling-related international licensed domains are being blocked by Roskomnadzor every week, VPN services might be completely banned in Russia if policies against online domains keep getting approved.

The UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced today the options to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to between £2 and £50 to protect vulnerable gamblers. Currently, high-speed electronic casino games called ‘crack cocaine’ machines, allow punters to place bets of £100 every 20 seconds. Gambling […]

The UK Government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced today the options to reduce the maximum stake on fixed-odds betting terminals from £100 to between £2 and £50 to protect vulnerable gamblers.

Currently, high-speed electronic casino games called ‘crack cocaine’ machines, allow punters to place bets of £100 every 20 seconds.

Gambling Minister, Tracey Crouch, said in the introduction to the review: “This consultation brings forward a package of proposals which responds to strong evidence and public concerns about the risks of high stakes gambling on the high street, with the aim of enhancing player protections on gambling machines that enable high rates of loss in short periods of time.”

“We are consulting on regulatory changes to the maximum stake, looking at options between £50 and £2, in order to reduce the potential for large session losses and therefore to the potentially harmful impact on the player and their wider communities,”

“It is vital that we strike the right balance between socially responsible growth and protecting the most vulnerable, including children, from gambling-related harm. We have seen online gambling grow rapidly and we need to protect players in this space, while also making sure those experiencing harm relating to gambling receive the help they need.”

“Given the strong evidence and public concerns about the risks of high stakes gaming machines on the high street, we are convinced of the need for action. That is why today we have set out a package of proposals to ensure all consumers and wider communities are protected,”

As part of the government review:

The Gambling Commission – the industry’s regulator – will consult on changes to protect online players.

Broadcasters, advertisers, industry and support groups will draw up an advertising campaign to promote responsible gambling, with an annual budget of up to £7m.

New advertising guidelines will be drawn up, to protect problem gamblers, children and young people.

Access by under-18s to gambling content and channels on social media will be restricted.

Gambling companies are being told to step up funding for research, education and treatment. If they don’t, operators may face a levy.

Labour’s deputy leader, Tom Watson, described the review as “deeply disappointing”.

A consultation period of 12 weeks will follow to determine the decision.

The Malysian Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said that changes will be made in the country’s Common Gaming House Act 1953, in order to fight illegal gambling. Zahid stated: “The (Home) Ministry, together with the police, are working with the Attorney-General’s office to see if a full change (is needed) to […]

The Malysian Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, said that changes will be made in the country’s Common Gaming House Act 1953, in order to fight illegal gambling.

Zahid stated: “The (Home) Ministry, together with the police, are working with the Attorney-General’s office to see if a full change (is needed) to the Common Gaming Houses Act 1953 to reflect new elements in gambling crime,”

“Special attention should be given to improve the online gambling law because online gambling activities, which can be done via smartphones, are fast becoming rampant right now.”

“We are also collaborating with Interpol to create a firewall for telcos to prevent this from spreading,”

“We have deported 416 China nationals believed to be involved in the Macau scam syndicate, and efforts are being intensified to investigate 100 other suspects before they can be deported to their countries of origin,”

“Of the total, Selangor and Penang recorded the highest number of raids,”

As per the Deputy Prime Minister, that authorities had carried out 5,913 operations mounted nationwide since last September.

Cyprus National Betting Authority (NBA) announced during a press conference, earlier this week, that it will conduct a gambling survey for the first time in order to evaluate the habits of Cypriot players and to determine the “frequency of participation” in games. NBA Chairwoman, Ioanna Fiakou, stated: “The authority has commissioned Insights Market Research (IMR) […]

Cyprus National Betting Authority (NBA) announced during a press conference, earlier this week, that it will conduct a gambling survey for the first time in order to evaluate the habits of Cypriot players and to determine the “frequency of participation” in games.

NBA Chairwoman, Ioanna Fiakou, stated: “The authority has commissioned Insights Market Research (IMR) Ltd to conduct a quantitative survey by interviewing 3 000 individuals, in order to study and investigate the Cypriot public’s extent of participation in games of chance,”

“The survey’s goals focus on recording the extent of participation in gambling activities, identifying the extent of problematic participation among the public, studying gamblers’ social and demographic traits, the frequency with which they engage in gambling, and their budgeted and real spending in gambling.”

Personal interviews will start today, October 25th, and will last until the end of December, among 3 000 randomly selected individuals of the age groups of 13th to 17th, 18th to 34th, 35th to 49th year old, 50 to 64years old and above 65 years old.

At least 1,208 people will be interviewed in Nicosia, 863 in Limassol, 516 in Larnaca, 257 in Paphos and 166 in Famagusta, according to Fiakou.

“The goal of separation by age group is that the authority will seek to take all necessary measures for each group and recommend the appropriate measures to the competent authorities,” Fiakou said.

The Swedish Online gambling provider Betsson AB has announced a partnership with the bookmaker BetConstruct, by integrating BetConstruct’s sportsbook in the Spanish market with full access to pre-match and live betting coverage, offering huge betting opportunities. Betsson’s Managing Director for Southern Europe & Latin America, Andrea Rossi, said: “We are happy to be partnering with […]

The Swedish Online gambling provider Betsson AB has announced a partnership with the bookmaker BetConstruct, by integrating BetConstruct’s sportsbook in the Spanish market with full access to pre-match and live betting coverage, offering huge betting opportunities.

Betsson’s Managing Director for Southern Europe & Latin America, Andrea Rossi, said:
“We are happy to be partnering with BetConstruct for our new sportsbook venture in Spain. BetConstruct is already integrated with our existing technology provider in this market. We have confidence in the product and its functionality. With BetConstruct we will shorten our time to the market and they will help us deliver on our entry plans”

BetConstruct’s Regional Director in Malta, Kristina Hambardzumyan, stated:
“We are thrilled to seal a partnership with Betsson group to provide our state-of-the-art Sportsbook to their new venture in Spain. Betsson group is known as a company providing to its customers the best products in the industry and choosing BetConstruct as sportsbook provider for the Spanish market emphasises their good taste in gaming”

Intralot Group has announced the stock purchase agreement to acquire the remaining 65 per cent of gaming technology company Bit8. With this move Intralot Group becomes full shareholder of the company. Bit8 Founder Angelo Dalli, will remain in the Board of Directors of Bit8 as per the company. Intralot Group invested in Bit8 for the […]

Intralot Group has announced the stock purchase agreement to acquire the remaining 65 per cent of gaming technology company Bit8.
With this move Intralot Group becomes full shareholder of the company.

Bit8 Founder Angelo Dalli, will remain in the Board of Directors of Bit8 as per the company. Intralot Group invested in Bit8 for the first time in July 2015, purchased a 35% stake in the business.

Antonios Kerastaris, Chief Executive of Intralot Group, stated:
“I am very excited to complete the acquisition of Bit8 by Intralot at the end of a two-year joint product development partnership.”
“PULSE has become a major pillar of our Digital Transformation strategy for Lottery Modernisation and a strategic asset in our product portfolio.”

“Bit8 becomes a full member of the Intralot family, carrying enormous promise for future growth and product development by playing an important role in the successful deployment of our ‘All About the Player’ product design strategy.”

Angelo Dalli, added: “I am thrilled for the success of our cooperation with Intralot and today’s development that promises to bring a new cycle of growth, portfolio enhancement, and international recognition for Bit8.”

“Like every founder who has worked hard for the creation of a successful company I am proud about the company’s evolution and look forward to our future cooperation to reach new targets.”

The Government of Belgium has received the approval of Council of Ministers to introduce restrictions on the gambling advertising code including a blanket ban on gambling promotions during live sports broadcasts. The Council of Ministers have approved the new gambling advertising standards code by Christian Democrat CDV MP Koen Geens, the Belgian Justice Minister, as […]

The Government of Belgium has received the approval of Council of Ministers to introduce restrictions on the gambling advertising code including a blanket ban on gambling promotions during live sports broadcasts.

The Council of Ministers have approved the new gambling advertising standards code by Christian Democrat CDV MP Koen Geens, the Belgian Justice Minister, as reported by the Belgian Media.

Among the new restrictions, the minimum age for online gambling will be 21 years old and there will be a complete ban on betting and gambling advertising during live sports events before 8pm.

Additionally, any betting and gambling advertising will not be allowed 15 minutes before, after and during any programming aimed primarily for children. Also, it will be prohibited from advertising on sports equipment of youth sports teams and leagues.